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bower1 definition

bower (bo̵u′ər)

noun

  1. a place enclosed by overhanging boughs of trees or by vines on a trellis; arbor
  2. Old Poet. a rustic cottage or retreat
  3. Archaic a lady's boudoir
  4. a hut and platform of twigs built by a male bowerbird: used only for courtship and not as a nest

Etymology: ME bour < OE bur, room, hut, dwelling, akin to Ger bauer, bird cage: for IE base see bondage

transitive verb

to form into a bower; enclose with boughs, etc.

Related Forms:

bower2 definition

☆ bower (bo̵u′ər)

noun

the jack of trump (right bower) or the jack of the other suit of the same color (left bower), the highest card and next highest card, respectively, in euchre

Etymology: Ger bauer, peasant (akin to bower): so called from the figure sometimes used as the jack

bower3 definition

bower (bo̵u′ər)

noun

the heaviest anchor of a ship, normally carried at the bow

Etymology: < bow

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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